Sushant: Stardom was not why I wanted to be an actor

It's been over two years since Sushant Singh Rajput made his Bollywood debut. But he had experienced a fair share of stardom and acclaim as a TV actor much before entering the film industry. However, the fame has increased manifold only over the couple of years. While Sushant loves all of it, he admits he's still an introvert who'd rather immerse himself in the acting process than worry about stardom.

You've had success on TV as well as in films. How does it feel?

Stardom was not why I wanted to be an actor. During my college years, when I was supposed to do an MBA, I joined Shiamak Davar's dance troupe, then theatre happened. When I joined Barry John's acting institute, I was an introvert. But I realised that I could express so much in front of strangers through acting. The process was so liberating. It's the same feeling even now. I love what my career brings for me. Money and fame is, of course, great, but I enjoy the process of acting more than these two aspects. However, I didn't have any connections earlier. So I can't help but feel good about being recognised as I walk through the gates of a studio today.

Unlike your contemporaries, you're not a very public person. You're also selective when it comes to appearances and interviews. Why so?

Right now, I'm figuring out what I want apart from knowing the kind of work I want to do; As far as my personality is concerned, I don't have much to say. We have this tendency that when something happens, we start enquiring about it. Then we form opinions and talk about it. I can read two-three books before any interview and come across as someone who knows his s**t. But I don't want to do that, because I'm a very bad actor when I'm not acting. So how many questions does it take to tell somebody who you are or aspire to be? After a few, there's nothing more to say. Maybe with experience, I'll become more outgoing.

Do you keep a tab on what your peers are doing?

I make it a point to watch all the good films that release. I watched Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Badlapur. You can say I'm clued in to the good things happening.

How has your 'Bollywood' experience been so far?

The industry is ever-changing. I have seen a change in the way the content is written. And since we're exposed to everything that is happening in the west and we're enjoying, appreciating and having our opinion about it, two things happen: one, we're subconsciously comparing ourselves to them, and two, we know exactly what we need to do. Yes, it's definitely a commercial venture, but that's not the only reason. You shouldn't be in the entertainment industry if making money is your only agenda. In the next five years, I am sure we will see a major shift in our idea of making films. So it's been good so far.

Is it true in order to prepare for your next role, you disconnected yourself from people?

I didn't meet anybody or use my phone for six to seven months. I think when you disconnect to prepare for a role, you tend to get into the shoes of the character and do justice to it.